Guild Wars 2

Hi all

With the expansion coming very very soon, I’m doing my last attempts at theory crafting before putting my hands on the chronomancer. While I have seen/discussed/made good roaming chrono (essentially the usual roaming mesmer but with the 3rd traitline being chrono) and good bunker chrono, I am still not sure about a more intermediate “team fighter” chrono. Essentially a build able to survive in a PvP zerg (so rather tanky but not bunkerish) while inflicting serious sustained damage. Something like a “celestial” or “soldier” type build.

My problem is essentially the “sustained damage” part. Anyone has a good suggestion?

This build was designed to do most of what you described:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Soldier-Chrono

I have some decent video from BWE3 I haven’t uploaded yet. I probably will tomorrow since there doesn’t appear to be any chronomancer changes coming ahead of launch Friday.

skcamow.3527:

This build was designed to do most of what you described:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Soldier-Chrono

I prefer Illusion + Chrono with OH Shield to abuse 4s Block every 15s. The combination of Chronophantasma and Persistence Memory + Alacrity.

For the last trait line either Chaos for CI(Might and set up for ur Team) or maybe Domi for Power Block.

Nevhie.6079:

skcamow.3527:

This build was designed to do most of what you described:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/mesmer/Soldier-Chrono

I prefer Illusion + Chrono with OH Shield to abuse 4s Block every 15s. The combination of Chronophantasma and Persistence Memory + Alacrity.

For the last trait line either Chaos for CI(Might and set up for ur Team) or maybe Domi for Power Block.

There are possible variations. For sure BD stays due to the much needed stability since this was designed as an on-point fighter. The one trait line I could possibly see swapping out for another is dueling. Illusions could fit the bill but the problem with that is you’re really going there for persistence of memory/IC with the rest of the traits not very build defining.

Dueling provides really good damage mitigation with blinding dissipation in that with constant shattering in melee range you’re keeping blind applied during the course of a long fight.

Another mesmer friend has put together a variant with domination, more roaming focused.

The linchpin of this whole idea is being able to go with a tanky, sustainable amulet while keeping a decent crit chance and thus, damage with danger time.

Thanks for the answers

If going for illusions, I can see switching to celestial, and grabbing the might on shatter. In a sense, condi (or hybrid) build makes sense for a more sustained damage, because all shatters deal damage. However, we also know that in a team fight for organized teams, there is a lot of condi cleanse… I’ll probably try it.

For the soldier build, I’ll try to play around it too. You seem to really overload it with slow, which is of course very good for defensive reasons, but also offensive with the major trait. Do you feel the difference from the 30% crit that much?

Silverkey.2078:

Thanks for the answers

If going for illusions, I can see switching to celestial, and grabbing the might on shatter. In a sense, condi (or hybrid) build makes sense for a more sustained damage, because all shatters deal damage. However, we also know that in a team fight for organized teams, there is a lot of condi cleanse… I’ll probably try it.

For the soldier build, I’ll try to play around it too. You seem to really overload it with slow, which is of course very good for defensive reasons, but also offensive with the major trait. Do you feel the difference from the 30% crit that much?

I don’t see celestial working as well with this because of the lack of condition output (even with illusions taken).

As for the crit chance, it honestly remains to be seen (in a PvP environment anyway). I’ve just posted a video in the main build thread so you can see. It’s definitely random but I only had a day or two to kick the tires with it.

skcamow.3527:

Silverkey.2078:

Thanks for the answers

If going for illusions, I can see switching to celestial, and grabbing the might on shatter. In a sense, condi (or hybrid) build makes sense for a more sustained damage, because all shatters deal damage. However, we also know that in a team fight for organized teams, there is a lot of condi cleanse… I’ll probably try it.

For the soldier build, I’ll try to play around it too. You seem to really overload it with slow, which is of course very good for defensive reasons, but also offensive with the major trait. Do you feel the difference from the 30% crit that much?

I don’t see celestial working as well with this because of the lack of condition output (even with illusions taken).

As for the crit chance, it honestly remains to be seen (in a PvP environment anyway). I’ve just posted a video in the main build thread so you can see. It’s definitely random but I only had a day or two to kick the tires with it.

Celestial adds crit damage and base crit chance. If you compare raw damage:

• soldier + pack rune (10% crit base + fury + slow = 60% crit chance) 2375 * (1 + 0.6*0.5) = 3088
• celestial + strength rune 1735 * (1 + 0.8*0.87)*1.05 = 3090

add some might and celestial wins hand down. Then the confusion from shatters is not insignificant. Also the build I had in mind was sword/shield+scepter/pistol. I loose chaos armor, but I add up significant damage pressure + much faster hitting rate allowing slow proc from lost time.

This is only an idea though. In particular, for this to make sense, I have to see if I should sacrifice dueling or chaos. Without dueling nor CP the illusion generation is low, only improved by the reduced recharge from “illusions” minor (and maybe adept?). On the other hand, scepter has good illusion uptime. Will have to try to see.